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Intranasal Fentanyl in Preterm Infants Undergoing Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter Placement

Phase 3
Completed
Conditions
Procedural Pain
Interventions
Drug: Normal saline
Registration Number
NCT06590870
Lead Sponsor
Mount Sinai Hospital, Canada
Brief Summary

The purpose of this feasibility clinical trial is to explore the role of intranasal fentanyl for pain associated with PICC placement in preterm infants. The primary goals are identifying whether enough infants join the study and complete the study procedures.

Detailed Description

Infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are subjected to multiple painful procedures as part of clinical care. It is established that early and repeated exposure to pain is associated with negative consequences. However, pain management strategies continue to be underutilized in NICUs worldwide.

Placement of a PICC is a clinically essential painful procedure in infants requiring prolonged intravenous access. The procedure can cause moderate to severe pain. To date, the optimal medication for procedural analgesia during PICC placement is not known.

Intranasal fentanyl has emerged as an option for pain management in infants admitted to the NICU. In preparation for a future definitive clinical trial, this is a feasibility clinical trial exploring the role of intranasal fentanyl for procedural analgesia in preterm infants undergoing PICC placement.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
8
Inclusion Criteria
  • Infants with a gestational age at birth < 32 weeks or birth weight < 1.5 kg
  • Infants considered medically appropriate for the study by the most responsible physician
Exclusion Criteria
  • Infants with choanal atresia, nasal mucosal erosion, or epistaxis
  • Infants with facial anomalies
  • Infants diagnosed with genetic conditions known to affect neurological development or severe (grade ≥ III) intraventricular hemorrhage
  • Infants receiving continuous intravenous infusions or scheduled enteral doses of opioids or sedatives within 12 hours of PICC placement
  • Infants with cardiopulmonary instability managed with inotropes, vasopressors, phosphodiesterase enzyme inhibitors, or neuromuscular blocking agents at the time of PICC placement
  • Infants prescribed strong CYP3A4 inhibitors (clarithromycin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole, ritonavir, voriconazole) at the time of PICC placement
  • Infants diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (need for supplemental oxygen or need for ventilatory support at 36 weeks corrected gestational age)
  • Infants with a previous documented adverse reaction to any formulation of fentanyl

Each eligible infant will be enrolled for one PICC placement only during the study period

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Intranasal normal saline plus standard of careNormal salineOne dose of normal saline (volume equivalent to fentanyl 1.5 µg/kg) via a mucosal atomization device 10 minutes before the PICC placement. Standard of care includes sucrose 24% oral solution with or without non-nutritive sucking.
Intranasal fentanyl plus standard of careFentanylOne dose of fentanyl 1.5 µg/kg via a mucosal atomization device 10 minutes before the PICC placement. Standard of care includes sucrose 24% oral solution with or without non-nutritive sucking.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Recruitment rate6 month study period

Number of infants assessed for eligibility, number of infants approached for consent, number of enrolled infants, and number of participants completing study procedures

Completeness of data collection for pain score assessmentAt the needle insertion phase of the PICC placement

Premature infant pain profile-revised (PIPP-R) scores using video recordings. PIPP-R scores range from 0-21 and are interpreted as no pain (score of 0), mild pain (score 1-6), moderate pain (score 7-12), and severe pain (score 13-21).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of adverse eventsUp to 6 hours after intranasal intervention administration

Number of apneas (cessation of breathing \> 20 seconds), number of bradycardias (heart rate \< 100 beats per minute), number of desaturations (oxygen saturation \< 80%), chest wall rigidity, escalation in ventilatory support, and need for other analgesia

Acceptability and adoption of intranasal medicationsImmediately after the PICC placement

Survey of healthcare team members capturing experience with intranasal intervention administration, including barriers and enablers to use intranasal medications

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Mount Sinai Hospital

🇨🇦

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

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